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Tributes pour in for Koirala

World leaders, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, have offered condolences on the demise of former Prime Minister and President of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala. He died from pneumonia at wee hours on Tuesday.

World leaders, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, have offered condolences on the demise of former Prime Minister and President of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala. He died from pneumonia at wee hours on Tuesday.

In a statement issued on his behalf by his spokesperson on Wednesday, the UN chief said he was saddened by the passing of Koirala, a widely respected political leader who guided Nepal through its complex transition and constitutional process.

“Koirala worked tirelessly to unify people and bring parties together in a spirit of compromise; he greatly contributed towards Nepal’s democratization and peace process,” Ban said in the statement, extending his condolences to the Koirala family and the people of Nepal.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali also paid his last respects to Koirala. Ali, who flew into Kathmandu on Wednesday, conveyed deep condolences on behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh on the sudden and shocking demise of the former Nepali PM Koirala, who had been honoured as a “Friend of Bangladesh” in 2012 for his courageous support to the people of Bangladesh during the glorious War of Liberation in 1971.

Likewise, Bhutanese Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs Lyonpo Dawa Gyaltshen, who had arrived here with a delegation on Tuesday night, paid his final tributes to the late Koirala at the Dasharath Stadium. Bhutanese prime minister has also extended his condolences on the sad demise of Koirala. “The demise of the leader Koirala is a great loss to his party and the Nepali people as well,” Bhutanese Premier Tshering Tobgay said in his condolence message sent to Sujata Koirala, chief of the Nepali Congress Foreign Department.

Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom Hugo Swire said that he has fondly remembered Koirala, saying that his thoughts are with his family and the Nepali people.

The French Embassy also expressed its sadness over the passing of the former Nepali prime minister. “After paying last respects at the national stadium, this Embassy extends its sincere condolences to his well respected family members and to the Nepali people,” the mission said in a statement.

Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Yaron Mayer has extended deepest sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family. Calling Koirala, a good friend of Israel, Mayer said in a statement: “I was deeply saddened and pray for courage and strength to withstand this difficult time. His demise is an irreparable loss to the nation. His contributions to the country, especially the promulgation of the constitution of Nepal rightful leadership, will always be remembered.”